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sec  ■ 


THE 


BLESSEDNESS 


OF  THE 


•    LIBERAL: 

A  SERMON, 

PREACHED  IN  THE  MIDDLE  DUTCH  CHURCH, 

BEFORE    THE 

NEW- YORK  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY, 

At  their  first  Institution,  November  i,  1796. 


————yd— 

By  ALEXANDER  M'WHORTER,  D.  D. 

Pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Newark. 


They  glorify  God  for  your  liberal  distribution  unto  all  men. 

a  Cor.  ix.  13, 


NEW-  YORK: 

Printed  by  T.  and  J.  SWORDS,  No.  99  Pcarl-ftr.eet. 

—1796.— 


5 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  New -Tor  k  Miffionary 
Society,  on  Wednefday,  the  zd  of  November, 
1796, 

Resolved  unanimously, 

THAT  the  thanks  of  this  fociety  be  given 
to  the  Rev.  Dr.  M'Whorter  for  his  fermon 
preached  before  them  laft  evening,  and  that 
he  be  requefted  to  furnifh  a  copy  of  it  for 
publication. 

Ext  railed  from  the  Minutes, 

JOHN  M.  MASON,  Sec'ry, 


THE 


BLESSEDNESS,    &c. 


Isaiah  xxxii.  8. 

'The  liberal  devifeth  liberal  things,  and  by  libe- 
ral things  Jh  all  he  ft  and. 

HE  religion  revealed  in  the  fcriptures, 
is  a  moft  amiable  and  beautiful  fyflem.  So 
perfect  are  its  proportions ;  fo  facred  the  con- 
nection between  its  truths,  its  graces,  and 
its  duties,  that  violence  offered  to  the  one, 
affects  all  the  reft;  mars  its  univerfal  fym- 
metry,  and  introduces  deformity  and  con- 
fufion. 

Thofe  truths  and  duties  which  relate  to  the 
glorious  Jehovah,  ftand  as  primary  princi- 
ples. Thofe  which  relate  to  ourfelves  and 
our  neighbours,  hold  a  fecondary  place ;  yet 
fo  ftrict  and  neceffary  is  their  alliance,  that 
the  whole  is  as  really  made  void  by  an  in- 
fringement on  the  latter  as  on  the  former. 

To 


(     4     ) 

To  religion,  as  exhibited  in  the  Bible,  re- 
ligion, as  tranfcribed  into  the  human  heart, 
bears  an  accurate  refemblance.     The  work 
of  the  Spirit  on  the  foul  anfwers  to  his  reve- 
lation in  the  word,  as  in  water  face  anfwereth 
to  face.     Thofe  doctrines  and  duties  which 
immediately  refpeft  the    Father,   Son,   and 
Spirit,    and  are   of   the  firft  importance  in 
Chriftianity,    are  alfo  of   the   firft  moment 
with  a   genuine  Chriftian.     A  due  regard, 
and  confcientious  practice  of  all  the   focial 
virtues,  are  connected  with  them,  as  confe- 
quences  are  connected  with  their  premifes, 
or  effects  with  their  caufes. 

Hence  the  excellence  of  true  religion  will 
appear,  in  fome  meafure,  in  a  truly  religious 
character.  Its  different  branches  fupport  and 
ftrengthen  each  other.  Love  and  repentance 
towards  God,  and  faith  towards  our  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift,  infure  love  to  our  neighbour; 
while  the  latter  does  not,  in  the  leaft,  dimi- 
nish refpecl:  to  Jehovah,  or  an  attention  to  the 
offices  of  devotion — Each  have  their  proper 
{ration  and  influence. 

As  in  the  reception  of  divine  grace  the 
foul  of  man  is  renewed,  fo  it  is  thereby  open- 

ed 


(     5     ) 

ed  and  enlarged.  Filled  with  a  generous  be- 
nevolence, he  is  difpofed  to  proportion  the 
effects  of  his  love  unto  all,  according  to  the 
divine  will.  With  a  cheerful  hand  will  he 
fcatter  benefits ;  but  his  benevolence,  directed 
by  wifdom,  as  well  as  impelled  by  zeal,  will 
felecl,  for  its  principal  efforts,  thofe  objects 
to  which  it  can  be  moft  ufefully  applied :  and 
furely,  my  brethren,  if  any  occalion  could 
boaft.  a  folid  claim  to  your  pious  benefactions, 
it  is  the  occafion  on  which  I  now  addrefs  you. 
A  lociety,  inftituted  with  the  nobleft  defign 
which  mortals  can  execute  or  conceive ;  the 
defign  of  fending  God's  falvation  to  our  de- 
folate  frontiers,  and  the  gloomy  regions  of 
Paganifm,  intreat  your  aid.  From  him  who, 
by  free  and  efficacious  grace,  hath  been  tranf- 
formed  in  the  renewing  of  his  mind,  they 
look  for  the  exercife  of  that  philanthropy 
which  enters  into  the  effence  of  the  Chriflian 
character;  and  their  application  is  ftrongly 
recommended  by  our  perfuafive  text — "  The 
liberal  devifet.h  liberal  things,  and  by  liberal 
things  /hall  he  ft  and. ' ' 

The  original  word  here  trannated  liberal, 
is  frequently  ufed  in  the  facred  oracles,  and 

always 


(     6    ) 

aiways  communicates  great  ideas.  It  is  ren- 
dered Princes  and  Nobles  in  the  47th  and 
83d  Pfalms;  becaufe  it  becomes  thofe  who 
move  in  the  higher  grades  of  life  to  be  of 
exalted  minds.  Sometimes  it  is  rendered  free, 
to  exprefs  eminent  generofity.  When  Heze- 
kiah  had  fan&ified  the  temple,  and  confecrat- 
ed  the  people,  he  ordered  them  to  bring  fa- 
cririces  and  thank-offerings  into  the  houfe  of 
the  Lord.  This  they  ail  did :  but  it  is  added, 
that  lbme  did  more ;  i*  As  many  as  were  of 
a  free  heart  brought  in  burnt-offerings."* 
We  like  wife  find  this  epithet  applied  by  David 
to  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God :  "  Uphold  me  with 
thy  free  Spirit.'?f  From  thefe,  and  other  apr 
plications  of  the  term,  we  may  reft  allured, 
that  when  it  defcribes  a  character,  and  to  that 
character  great  and  precious  promifes  are 
made,  it  neceffarily  implies  grace  or  holinefs. 

In  difcuffing  the  general  principles  of  the 
text,  with  a  particular  reference  to  the  occa- 
fion  of  our  afTembling  here  this  evening,  per- 
mit me, 

I.  To  explain  the  temper  recommended; 
and, 

II.  To 

*  2  Chron.  xxix.  31.  f  Psalm  li.  12. 


(    7    ) 

ll.  To  confider  the  bleffings  connected  with 
it  by  divine  promife. 

I.  I  am  to  explain  the  temper  recommend- 
ed— It  is  liberality. 

When  man  came  firft  from  the  hand  of 
his  Creator,  upright  and  holy,  he  pofTefTed, 
in  the  higheft  degree,  this  liberal  or  benevo- 
lent principle:  for  he  was  made  after  the 
image  of  God,  and  formed  for  the  greateft 
ufefulnefs  and  felicity.  But  when  he  com- 
menced rebellion  againft  God,  he  loft  it  with 
the  other  features  of  the  divine  likenefs,  funk 
down  into  himfelf,  and  is  now,  alas !  under 
the  government  of  felfifh  motives  and  felfifh 
ends. 

With  man,  ill  this  degraded  ftate,  Jeho- 
vah could  hold  no  communion,  fiich  as  he 
cultivates  with  good  and  holy  beings :  but 
having  formed  a  defign  of  mercy,  did  not 
immediately  give  him  over  to  eternal  perdi- 
tion, as  he  did  the  apoftate  angels.  In  con- 
fequence  of  his  purpofe  of  grace,  his  eternal 
Son  was  conftituted  a  fecond  Adam,  to  heal 
the  breach  that  was  made  by  the -firft,  and  re- 
cover that  which  was  loft :  wherefore  it  pleat- 
ed the  Father,  that  in  him  all  fulnefs  fhould 

dwell ; 


(  «  ) 
dwell ;  the  Holy  Ghoft  was  given  him  with- 
out meaiure,  and  he  became  the  fource  of 
every  blefling  to  his  feed.  Of  his  fulnefs  he 
transfufes  into  them  grace  for  grace,  regene- 
rating them  by  his  almighty  power,  and  re- 
producing in  their  fouls  that  image  of  God 
which  confifts  in  knowledge,  and  righteouf- 
nefs,  and  true  holinefs ;  for  they  are  created 
anew,  in  (Thrift  Jefus,  unto  good  works. 
Their  inward  corruption  is  fubdued ;  delivered 
from  the  predominance  of  fordid  and  felfifh 
principles,  they  both  yield  themfelves  fervants 
unto  God,  and  glow  with  charity  to  men. 
From  the  beft  of  motives,  to  the  beft  of  ends, 
they  become  truly  liberal.  Of  an  elevated 
and  benevolent  difpofition,  they  companionate 
their  fellow  creatures.  Unfeigned  love  moves 
them  to  deeds  of  kindnefs ;  and  opportunities 
of  indulging  this  divine  temper  afford  them 
exquifite  pleafure.  They  devife  liberal  things* 
Unlike  the  churl,  who  hoards  up  for  himfelf 
alone,  they  employ  a  portion  of  what  the 
benignity  of  God  hath  given  them,  for  the 
promotion  of  his  glory ;  for  the  advancement 
of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom;  for  fuccouring 
the  diftrefled ;  and  communicating;  to  the  ig- 

*  DO 

norant 


(     9      ) 

iiorant  and  periihing  a  knowledge  of  the  plan 
of  life  eternal. 

But,  further,  the  liberal  man  is  defcribed 
in  the  text,  not  only  as  one  who  cheerfully 
contributes,  when  dented,  to  works  of  mercy; 
but,  as  one  who  voluntarily  feeks  occaiions 
of  doing  good.  He  devifeth  liberal  things. 
Strong  folicitation ;  arguments  of  intereft  or 
of  reputation,  are  not  neceffary  to  touch  his 
heart,  or  open  his  hand.  Incomparably  more 
effectual  and  uniform  is  the  principle  of  his 
action.  Full  of  good  fruits  is  an  eflential  cha- 
racteristic of  that  wifdom,  or  religion,  which 
cometh  down  from  above;  and  the  fum  of 
which  is,  love  to  God,  and  love  to  man. 
u  Whoib  hath  this  world's  goods,  and  feeth. 
"  his  brother  have  need;  and  mutteth  up  his 
"  bowels  of  companion  from  him,  how  dwell- 
"  eth  the  love  of  God  in  him  !" 

Such  is  the  liberal  fpirit  diffufed  from  Jefus 
Chrift;  fuch  the  fpirit  imbibed  by  all  who 
obey  the  gofpel.  A  principle  of  true  religion 
will  operate  in  acts  of  tendernefs  and  benefi- 
cence to  our  fellow  men.  "  The  liberal  de- 
vifeth liberal  things." 

That  thefc  are  the  generous  effects  of  fav~ 

ing  truth,  received  in  the  love  thereof,  may  be 

K  demonftrated 


(     io     ) 

demonftrated  by  the  moft  irreiifiible  proof;  to 
wit,  that  which  arifes  from  universal  and  in- 
conteftible  fa6t. 

Such  was  the  difpofition  of  our  Lord  Jefus 
Chrift,  whofe  example  was  a  perfect  pattern  of 
every  virtue.  It  was  the  bulinefs  of  his  life  to 
heal  the  difeafes,  confole  the  forrows,  and 
relieve  the  wants,  of  all  that  applied  to  him. 
Though  he  was  in  the  form  of  God,  and  thought 
it  no  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God,  yet  he 
made  himfelf  of  no  reputation,  condefcended 
to  the  lowefl:  offices  of  goodnefs,  preached  the 
goipel  to  the  poor,  and  at  laft  laid  down  his  life 
in  the  mofr.  painful  and  ignominious  manner 
to  procure  the  happinefs  of  men. 

The  fame  temper  likewife  influenced  the 
holy  apoftles :  from  their  whole  hiftory  it  is 
evident,  that  the  good  of  mankind  was  the 
object  of  their  unwearied  exertions ;  and  that, 
in  this  labour  of  love,  they  did  not  refufe  to 
fpend  and  be  fpent. 

Of  fuch  leaders,  the  primitive  Chriftians 
were  not  unworthy  followers.  It  is  recorded, 
to  their  honour,  by  the  Holy  Ghoft,  "  Nei- 
ther J  aid  any  of  them  that  ought  of  the  things 
which  he  pojfejfed  was  his  own"*  And  in  ftricT: 

conformity 

*  A&s  iv.  .3  r . 


(     M     ) 

conformity  with  this  we  are  allured,  by  an 
eminent  hiftorian,  "  That  the  bounty  of  the 
primitive  times  was  almoit  incredible."* 

And,  indeed^  a  funilar  conduct  hath,  in 
all  ages,  been  the  diflinclion  of  thofe  who 
have  given  the  fulleft  evidence  that  they  were 
the  fubjecls  of  divine  grace.  One  of  the 
ftrongeft  features  in  the  character  of  the  early 
Chriftians,  and  of  thofe  who,  in  later  times, 
have  come  neareft  their  illuftrious  piety,  is 
their  activity  in  fpreading  the  gofpel  of  the 
kingdom.  In  this,  no  facrifices  were  too  coft- 
]y,  no  labours  too  oppreffive,  no  dangers  too 
terrifying,  for  their  liberal  and  refolute  fouls. 
Lavifh  not  only  of  their  wealth,  but  of  their 
eafe,  their  comforts,  their  lives ;  they  count- 
ed themfelves  amply  rewarded  in  the  triumphs 
of  the  crofs ;  and,  O  my  beloved  brethren ! 
how  necelTary  for  us  is  a  portion  of  their  fpirit 
to  difcharge  the  duties  to  which  the  provi- 
dence of  God  loudly  calls  us !  What  mul- 
titudes of  our  brethren  in  our  fcattered  fron- 
tiers, and  among  our  Pagan  neighbours,  have 
need — not  a  need  of  your  food  and  raiment, 
t>ut  a  need  infinitely  more  important — a  need 

of 

*  Dr.  Cave,  in  his  Primitive  Christianity. 


(  a  ) 

of  that  foul-faving  gofpel  which  you  enjoy. 
Let  your  bowels  of  compaffion  be  opened  unto 
them;  lend  them  this  momentous  blefmig; 
and,  "  Let  us  not  love  in  word,  neither  in 
tongue,  but  in  deed  and  in  truth."* 

From  explaining  the  temper  of  the  liberal 
man  I  proceed, 

II.  To  cohfider  the  blefiings  connected  with 
it.     By  liberal  things  Jha/I  he  fraud. 

By  favours  received  from  the  liberal  hand 
of  God,  both  of  a  fpiritual  and  temporal  kind, 
he  fhall  be  fupported  and  eftablifhed ;  he  mail 
be  happy  in  the  peace  and  approbation  of  his 
own  mind ;  the  providence  of  God  will  ren- 
der his  name  as  precious  ointment;  and  the 
grace  of  God  will  abundantly  fatisfy  his  foul 
both  here  and  hereafter. 

In  attempting  a  brief  detail  of  thefe  truths, 
which  the  promife  in  the  text  implies,  I  be- 
gin with  remarking,  that  the  gratification 
ariiing  from  the  exercife  of  Chriftian  libera- 
lity is  the  moft  refined  and  lafting.  We  are 
commanded  to  remember  the  words  of  the 
Lord  Jefus,  how  he  faid,  "it  is  more  blefTed 
to  give  than  to  receive."f     The  pleafure  of 

the 

*    i  John  iii.  18. 
I  Afts  xx.  35. 


(     '3     ) 

the  o-iver  tranfcends  that  of  the  receiver.  To 
promote  fome  public  utility,  or  to  enlarge  the 
kingdom  of  the  glorious  Immanuel,  are 
fources  of  purer  delight  than  benefactions  to 
ourfelves,  or  the  increafe  of  worldly  ftores. 

The  truly  liberal  finds  no  fmall  compla- 
cency in  imitating  the  moft  illuftrious  perfon- 
ages  that  have  appeared  in  the  world.  It 
was  Job,  a  man  who  feared  God  and  efchew- 
ed  evil,  that  faid,  "  If  I  have  withheld  the 
poor  from  their  defire,"  the  poor  in  temporal 
and  fpiritual  things,  "  then  let  mine  arm  fall 
from  my  moulder  blade,  and  mine  arm  be 
broken  from  the  bone."*  Time  would  fail 
me  mould  I  mention  Mofes,  David,  the  pro- 
phets and  the  apolHes,  in  whom  this  virtue 
confpicuouily  fhone.  Jefus  Chrift,  the  pat- 
tern of  all  excellence,  came  down  from  hea- 
ven to  illuminate  our  poor  and  guilty  world, 
and  to  enrich  it  with  the  glories  and  bleffings 
of  an  happy  immortality.  "  He  who  was 
rich  became  poor,  that  we,  through  his  po- 
verty, might  be  rich."f  Nay,  one  attribute 
of  Jehovah  himfclf  is,  "  That  he  is  good, 
and  doeth  good." 

To 

*  Job  xxxi.  1 6,  z%. 
■\  Cor.  via.  9. 


(      «4     ) 

To  the  refemblance  of  the  great  and  good, 
the  man  whofe  temper  we  are  confidering, 
adds  the  pleafure  of  being  held  in  eftimation 
by  thofe  around  him.  The  favourable  opi- 
nion of  others,  procured  by  virtuous  deeds, 
is  a  defirable  acquifition.  All  who  know  the 
liberal  man,  blefs  him,  and  pay  him  a  tribute 
of  undiffembled  praife.  Yea,  there  is  fome- 
thing  in  his  character  not  only  amiable  in  it- 
felf,  but  amazing  in  its  operation;  turning 
afide  the  fhafts  of  envy,  and  extorting  rer 
fpe6l  even  from  the  worft  of  men.  Thus  the 
f acred  oracles  affirm,  "  He  that  diligently 
feeketh  good  procureth  favour."* 

Who  can  defcribe  the  bleffednefs  accruing 
from  the  confcientious  difcharge  of  our  duty  ? 
In  keeping  the  commandments  of  God  there 
is  a  great  reward.  "  He  that  hath  mercy  on 
the  poor,"  O  remember  the  poor  Heathen,  the 
poor  who  are  deititute  of  the  bleffings  of  the 
goipel!  "  happy  is  he."f  "The  merciful 
man  doth  good  to  his  own  foul."i  He  hath 
the  promife,  "  That  the  Lord  will  deliver 
him  in  time  of  trouble;   will  preferve  and 

keep 

*  Psalm  xi.  27. 
f  Prov.  xiv.  2t. 
%  Prov.  xi.  1 7, 


(     "5    ) 

keep  him  alive,  and  he  mall  be  bleffed  upon 
the  earth."*  He  alfo  receives  the  bleffings 
of  the  deftitute.  The  bleffing  of  thofe  who 
are  ready  to  perifh  comes  upon  him.  "  He 
will  regard  the  prayer  of  the  deftitute,  and 
not  defpife  their  prayer."f 

The  fcriptures  abound  with  ample  promifes 
to  the  liberal,  of  the  good  things  of  this  life; 
and  as  far  as  thefe  can  be  confidered  a  bleffing, 
he  furely  enjoys  it.  Therefore,  one  way  to 
increafe  in  worldly  things  is  to  be  bountiful 
and  charitable.  I  do  not  mean  profufe  and 
prodigal.  There  is  a  wide  difference  between 
them.  Oftentimes  the  prodigal  and  extrava- 
gant do  leaft  in  acls  of  beneficence.  All  their 
profufion  is  for  the  gratification  of  their  own 
lufts.  Hence,  they  have  no  ground  to  hope 
for  a  bleffing.  But  the  benevolent  man  has 
numerous  promifes  in  the  word  of  God. 
46  The  liberal  foul  fhall  be  made  fat,  and  he 
that  watereth  fhall  be  watered  himfelf  alfo."  J 
"  Give,  fays  our  Lord,  and  it  (hall  be  given 
unto  you."§     My  dear  brethren,  let  us  water 

the 

*  Psalm  xli.  i,  2. 
f  Psalm  cii.  17. 
J  Prov.  xi.  27. 
§  Luke  vi.  38. 


(      i6     ) 

the  parched  parts  of  our  country,  and  thef 
barren  wildernefs,  with  the  dews  and  lhowers 
of  celeftial  grace:  let  us  pour  the  living  wa- 
ters of  the  gofpel  upon  thofe  who  enjoy  them 
not.  "  There  is,  faith  Solomon,  that  fcat- 
tereth  and  yet  increafeth."*  God  blefieth 
the  munificent  hand,  which  fcatters  in  works 
of  piety  and  charity ;  it  (hall  be  returned  into 
his  eftate,  by  invifible  means,  many  fold; 
as  corn  increafeth  to  the  hufbandman  by  be- 
ins  fcattered  or  ibwn.  ."  Honour  the  Lord 
with  thy  fubflance,  and  with  all  the  fruits  of 
thy  increafe ;  fo  ihall  thy  barns  be  filled  with 
plenty,  and  thy  pre  fifes  mall  burft  out  with 
new  wine."f  "  Call:  thy  bread  upon  the  wa- 
ters, for  thou  malt  find  it  after  many  days."  J 
But,  there  would  be  no  end  in  retailing  the 
promifes  made  to  the  liberal.  Let  us  be 
wife,  ftedfafi,  perfevering,  and  abounding  in 
this  duty  according  to  our  ability,  and  as  wc 
may  have  opportunity. 

But,'  what  far,  very  far  exceeds  all  that  I 
have  mentioned,  is  the  acceptablenefs  of 
ChrifHan  liberality  to  the  eternal  God.     Our 


o-reateft 


*  Prov.  xi.  24.. 
f  Prov.  iii.  9,  10. 
.!:  Ecc.  xi.  1. 


(     '7    ) 

gfeateft  care  mould  be  to  pleafe  our  heavenly 
Father;  for  his  favour  is  life,  and  his  loving 
kindnefs  is  better  than  life.     And  it  is  the 
happinefs  of  the  charitable,  that  he  is  pleafing 
to  God.     "  To  do  good,  and  to  communicate, 
forget  not,  for  with  fuch  facrinces  God  is  well 
pleafed."*     Behold  how  the  apoftle  Paul  ex- 
tols the  beneflceiice  of  the  Philippian  Chrif- 
tians  who  administered  to  his  fupport,  while 
he  was  propagating  the   gofpel   among  the 
Macedonian  and  Theflalonian  Pagans.     His 
ftrong  and  emphatic  language,  intended,  no 
doubt,  for  the  encouragement  of  all  Chriftians 
who  engage  in  the  fame  dignified  work,  de- 
fences our  notice.     I  have  "  received,"  fays 
he,  "  of  Epapbroditus,  the  things  which  were 
fent  from  you ;  ari  odour  of  a  fweet  fmell,  a 
facrince  acceptable,  well  pleafing  to  God."f 

A  fure  teftimony,'  not  only  that  his  deeds 
are,  in  themfelves,  acceptable  to  heaven,  but 
that  he  is  interefted  in  the  divine  favour,  is 
a  part  of  that  blelTednefs  which  belongs  to  the 
man  of  evangelic  liberality ;  and  it  is  infinitely 
preferable  to  the  accumulated  riches  and  ho- 

C  nours 

*  Heb.  xiii.  16. 
t  Phil.  iv.  18, 


(     '8     ) 

ii ours  of  this  world.  To  love  our  brethren 
'  of  the  houfhold  of  faith,  and  of  the  family 
of  mankind,  is  reprefented  as  a  certain  evi- 
dence of  real  ChrifKanity.  And  this  love  doth 
not  confift  in  mere  profefiion,  but  in  deed  and 
in  Sruth,  in  unaffected  fincerity  of  heart,  and 
in  folid  acts  of  righteoufnefs  and  mercy. 

Laftly,  The  crowning  blefling  of  him 
whofe  character  we  have  been  contemplat- 
ing, is,  Great  will  be  his  reward  in  heaven. 
Our  glorious  Redeemer  allures  us,  that  the 
fmalleft.  acts  of  beneficence,  flowing  from  a 
right  fpirit,  mail  not  pafs  unnoticed  in  the 
great  day  of  retribution.  If  he  who  gives  a 
cup  of  cold  water  in  the  name  of  a  difciple, 
mall  not  in  any  wife  lofe  his  reward,  how  im- 
menfe  mail  be  the  reward  of  thofe  who  fend 
the  everlafting  gofpel  to  thofe  parts  of  the  earth 
where  gloomy  Ignorance,  and  wild  Superfti- 
tion  hold  an  uncontrouled  dominion  ?  How 
unfpeakable  the  profit  and  honour  of  thus 
contributing  according  to  the  will  of  God,  and 
making  to  ourfelves  friends  of  the  mammon  of 
unrighteoufnefs,  that  when  riches  cannot  re- 
deem us  from  the  grave,  we  may  be  received 
to  everlaftinq?  habitations !     Here  is  a  noble 

way 


(     '9     ) 

way  for  ChrifHans  to  lay  up  in  ftore  a  good 
foundation  againft  time  to  come.  Here  we 
are  fure  of  acquiring  more  than  an  hundred 
fold.  'This  will  be  bartering  fublunary  and 
fading  things  for  heavenly  and  durable  riches. 
This  is  laying  up  treafure  above,  where  nei- 
ther ruft.  nor  moth  doth  corrupt,  nor  thieves 
break  through  and  fteal.  Of  fuch  high  dif- 
tinclion  is  liberality  among  the  Chriitian 
graces  and  virtues,  that  Chrift  honours  it 
with  peculiar  marks  of  approbation.  Hear 
how  he  addrefles  thofe  who  exercife  it : — 
"  Come  ye  bleiTed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the 
kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world ;  for  I  was  an  hungred,  and 
ye  gave  me  meat ;  I  was  thirfty,  and  ye  gave 
me  drink ;  I  was  a  ftranger,  and  ye  took  me 
in ;  naked,  and  ye  cloathed  me ;  I  was  fick, 
and  ye  vifited  me;  I  was  in  prifon,  and  ye 
came  unto  me.*'*  The  eternal  Judge  doth 
not  bring  forward,  as  the  reafons  of  his  adju- 
dication, any  perfonal  attentions  paid  to  him- 
felf,  but  charitable  attentions  to  the  members 
of  his  body;  that  is,  to  his  difciples.  The 
perfons  by  whom  thefe  are  duly  performed, 

are 

*  Matt.  xxv.  34,  35,  36. 


(  *•  ) 

are  the  righteous  and  happy,  who  fhall  go 
away  into  eternal  life. 

If,  then,  the  approving  voice  of  our  fel- 
low men ;  if  the  teftimony  of  a  good  confci- 
ence ;  if  to  emulate  the  greatefl  and  heft  of 
mortals ;  if  to  imitate  the  beneficence  of  God 
himfelf ;  to  refemble  tjie  Holy  Jefus ;  to  en- 
joy, here,  his  exceeding  great  and  precious 
promifes,  and  tp  fit  down  with  him,  here- 
after, on  his  throne  of  glory,  conftitute  the 
highefl  felicity  of  which  we  are  capable,  the 
man  whom  renewing  grace  hath  formed  to 
liberal  affections,  and  liberal  deeds,  fhall  be 
fuper-eminently  blefledl. 

Having  explained  the  character  defcribed 
in  our  text,  and  enumerated  fome  of  the  blef- 
iings  attached  to  it,  I  feel  a  fingular  fatisfac- 
tion  in  remarking,  before  I  clofe  my  difcourfe, 
that  you  have  a  precious  opportunity  of  dif- 
playing  the  one,  as  preparative  to  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  other. 

I  have  already  hinted,  that  a  fociety  of  the 
moft.  beneficent  nature,  has  juft  been  erected 
in  this  city.  Defigning,  under  God,  the 
eternal  salvation  of  multitudes  of  our 
fellow  men,  it  contemplates  evangelical  mif^ 

fions 


(  »  ) 

{ions  to  the  deftitute  parts  of  our  country,  and 
to  the  Heathen  tribes  on  our  borders. 

The  wildernefs  on  our  frontier  is  fettling 
with  aftoniihing  rapidity.  Many  of  thefe  fet- 
tlements  are  thin,  fcattered,  and  poor.  One 
object  of  this  fociety,  therefore,  is,  to  fupport 
gofpel  miffionaries  among  them,  in  order  to 
keep  up  feme  fenfe  of  religion,  and  an  order- 
ly worfhip  of  God,  until  they  can  be  collected 
into  regular  congregations,  and  enabled  of 
themfelves  to  maintain  the  miniftry  of  the 
word  and  ordinances  of  Chrift. 

Every  Chriftian  muii  fee  and  feel  the  im- 
portance of  f uch  a  meafure.  To  preferve  the 
gofpel  among  our  new  fettlers  will  not  only 
be  of  the  higheft  confequence  to  them  and 
their  children,  but  will  tend  to  make  them 
peaceable,  comfortable,  and  happy  members 
of  the  national  community.  Therefore,  our 
civil,  as  well  as  religious  interefts,  mould  en- 
gage us  to  liberality  in  the  promotion  of  an 
object  of  fuch  magnitude. 

The  other  capital  object  of  the  fociety,  I 
mean  the  introduction  of  the  gofpel  among 
the  poor,  benighted  Indians,  mould  lie  equally 
near  our  hearts.     If  we  have  tafted  that  the 

Lord 


(        22        ) 

Lord  is  gracious,  do  we  not  cordially  wifh 
that  they  alfo  may  be  brought  to  the  hopes 
of  life  and  immortality  ?  Their  fouls  are  as 
precious  and  valuable  as  ours.  Let  us  vigor- 
oufly  exert  ourfelves  to  diffufe  among  them 
the  knowledge  of  the  blefled  Jesus.  Let  our 
ardent  prayers  afcend  to  the  God  of  heaven, 
that  he  would  crown  this,  and  every  limilar 
attempt,  with  abundant  fuccefs ;  and  while  we 
pray,  let  us  devife  liberal  things,  and  expand 
our  hearts,  and  pour  forth  our  treasures,  for 
fo  glorious  and  God-like  a  purpofe. 

Should  the  Lord  render  us  inftrumental  in 
evangelizing  the  Indian  nations,  we  ihall 
thereby  humanize  and  civilize  them;  from 
favages,  we  ihall  turn  them  into  men ;  from 
bloody  enemies,  into  friends  and  brothers; 
and,  what  is  infinitely  more,  they  will  be 
introduced  to  the  friendship  of  God,  and  to, 
the  inheritance  of  eternal  life. 

Contemplate,  for  a  moment,  what  the  zea-, 
lous  Chriftians  in  Europe  are  doing  amidfr.  the 
horrors  of  war,  and  the  din  of  arms.  They 
are  propagating  the  gofpel  in  Africa,  the 
iflands  of  the  South  Seas,  and  even  in  the  Eajl- 
Indies.*     Their  great  fouls  are  fending  Chrif-* 

tianity 
•    *  See  the  Appendix. 


(       *3       ) 

tiariity  round  the  globe ;  their  intention  is  to 
plant  it  in  every  land;  and  that  the  Son  of 
God  fhall  have  the  uttermoft  parts  of  the 
earth  for  his  porTeffion.  The  ChrifKans  in 
Denmark,  Moravia,  Scotland,  and  England, 
feem  all  moving  in  this  glorious  work,  and 
lavifhing  their  thoufands,  and  ten  thoufands, 
for  its  accomplimment. 

Wherefore,  let  us  emulate  their  noble  ex- 
ample in  our  acls  of  ChrifHan  liberality  for 
the  enlargement  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 
We  are  bleffed  with  peace ;  we  fit  every  one 
under  his  vine,  and  under  his  Jig-tree ;  we 
have  abundant  opportunities  of  doing  good; 
and,  as  munificent  heaven  is  loading  us  with 
its  benefits,  let  us  evince  our  gratitude,  by 
fending  the  foul-faving  gofpel  to  our  Heathen 
neighbours.  They  lit  in  darknefs  and  the 
fhadow  of  death,  and  fee  no  light. 

If  we  enter  into  the  fpirit  of  this  newly- 
formed  fociety,  who  knoweth  but,  as  the 
fruit  of  our  cheerful  and  pious  efforts,  the 
wildernefs  fhall  bloflbm  as  the  rofe,  the  day 
fpring  from  on  high  vifit  the  favage  abodes, 
and  the  blerling  of  manv  who  are  readv  to 
perifh  defcend  upon  us. 

IVhofe 


(    n   ) 

Whofe  land  do  we  inhabit  ?  In  whofe  Coun- 
try are  we  growing  in  riches  and  profperity  ? 
What  compenfation  to  the  natives  can  equal 
the  gofpel  of  Jefus  Chrift  ?  Let  us  then,  in 
the  name  of  God,  and  with  a  charitable  frame 
of  fpirit,  fend  them  this  glorious  gofpel,  which 
will  make  them  rich  to  eternal  life. 

You  may  reft  allured,  that  whatfoever  you 
give  to  God,  by  giving  it  to  this  afTociation, 
for  extending  the  kingdom  of  his  Son,  fhall 
be  frugally  and  faithfully  expended. 

Acceffions  to  the  fociety's  funds,  arifing 
from  contributions,  donations,  fubfcriptions, 
or  otherwife,  together  with  their  difburfe- 
ments,  mail,  every  year*  be  duly  publifhed, 
that  evey  one  may  fee  the  ufes  to  which  his 
charity  is  applied.  Their  progrefs  and  fue- 
cefs  will  alfo  be  publifhed,  that  each  bene- 
factor may  have  the  pleafure  of  beholding  the 
fruits  of  his  liberality  in  doing  good  to  the 
fouls  of  men. 

Now,  my  dearly  beloved  brethren,  to  mul- 
tiply arguments,  or  motives,  to  open  your 
hearts  in  Chriftian  tendernefs,  or  your  hands 
in  Chriftian  aid  of  fo  glorious  a  deiign,  would 
be  preflmg  your  tried  generoiity,  and,  per- 
haps, 


(     *5     ) 

haps,  wounding  the  fenfibility  of  ibme  who 
are  more  ready  to  give  than  to  receive. 

The  many  charitable  inftitutions  which 
call  upon  the  citizens  of  New-Tork  for  their 
yearly,  monthly,  and  daily  bounty,  demon- 
strate that  they  are  not  difpofed  to  be  weary 
in  well-doing,  and  ought  to  feal  the  filent 
paufe  on  the  lips  of  the  fpeaker — I  therefore 
ceafe,  praying  that  the  bleffing  of  Jehovah, 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit,  may  reft 
upon  you  and  your  children,  and  upon  all 
the  free-hearted  and  liberal  throughout  all 
generations.     Amen  and  amen. 


D  APPENDIX. 


(     26     ) 


APPENDIX. 


IHE  reader  of  the  foregoing  fermon  Vvill,  no 
doubt,  be  gratified  with  a  brief  relation  of  thofe 
events  which  preceded  and  occafioned  the  eftabiifh- 
ment  of  the  fociety  at  whofe  requeil  it  was  deli- 
vered. 

Different  denominations  of  Christians  in  Great- 
Britain  have  lately  difcovered  a  more  than  ordinary 
folicitude  to  extend,  to  infidel  nations,  the  knowledge 
of  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.  An  harmony,  unparal- 
leled, perhaps,  in  the  modern  hiflory  of  the  church, 
reigns  among  thofe  who,  in  every  denomination, 
love  the  unadulterated  gofpel.  By  a  communica- 
tion of  fentiment,  not  lefs  rapid  than  univerfal? 
they  appear  to  have  entertained,  nearly  at  once,  the 
fame  willies,  and  the  fame  views.  Coincidence  in 
principle  and  defign,  fpeedily  produced  a  coinci- 
dence of.meafures;  and  afTociations  were  immedi- 
ately formed  in  various  parts  of  the  ifland,  for  vigor- 
ously executing  what  they  had  fo  nobly  conceived. 
Befides  the  fociety  recently  instituted  among  the 
particular  Baptifts,  and  limited  to  their  own  religi- 
ous connections,  other  fccieties,  on  a  more  exten- 

five 


(     27     ) 

five  plan,  have  been  erected  in  London,  Glaigow, 
Edinburgh,  Paiiley,  and  New-Caftle. 

The  Baptifts  have  already  fent  out  miffionaries  to 
India  and  Africa:  what  the  fuccefs  of  the  latter 
has  been,  we  have  not  heard;  but  every  Chriftian 
will  rejoice  that,  by  the  latefl  accounts  from  India, 
the  profpect  is  moil  flattering.  That  fome  folid 
conversions  to  the  faith  of  Jesus  have  taken  place 
there  is  no  reafon  to  doubt ;  and  from  the  anxiety 
which  multitudes  of  the  natives  fhew  to  hear  the 
gofpel,  thefe  appear  like  the  early  firfl  fruits  of 
fields  that  are  ripe  ahead y  to  harveft. 

A  chief  ground  on  which  it  was  fuppofed  and 
predicted  that  the  focieties  would  fail,  was  the  dif- 
ficulty of  obtaining  miffionaries.  But  when  the 
Lord  begins  a  work,  he  will  never  want  inftruments. 
It  was  in  this  faith  that  the  focieties  proceeded ;  and 
they  have  not  been  difappointed.  Numbers,  whofe 
hearts  the  Lord  had  touched,  offered  themfelves 
for  this  felf-denying  and  dangerous  fervice :  and  on 
the  28th  of  July  laft,  twenty-nine  miffionaries,  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  fociety  in  London,  were 
folemnly  fet  apart  for  a  miffion  to  the  South-Seas, 
and  fliortly  after  embarked  for  the  delightful  ifland 
of  Otaheite. 

The  London  fociety,  though  not  a  year  old,  had 
already  received  donations,  &c.  to  the  amount  of 
nearly  £.  12,000  flerlinc;,  or  5-^,332  dollars.    They 

have 


(       28       ) 

have  purchafed  a  fhip,  and  we  hear  that  the  cap- 
tain, his  officers,  and  the  chief  of  his  crew,  are 
men  of  piety — A  rare  affemblage  of  feamen ! 

It  was  impoffible,  on  receiving  intelligence  like 
this,  that  Chriftians  here  mould  not  feel  their  hearts 
warmed,  and  their  emulation  excited.  Although 
their  means  are  fcanty  in  proportion  to  thofe  of  their 
brethren  over  the  ocean,  they  could  not  help  afking 
themfelves,  and  one  another,  What  can  we  do  in 
the  fame  glorious  enterprize  ?  They  faw  the  fpiri- 
tual  defolations  of  our  frontier,  and  the  forlorn 
condition  of  our  favages.  They  could  not  help 
wifhing  to  fend  them  relief.  They  felt  themfelves 
conftrained  to  attempt  their  falvation ;  and  accord- 
ingly a  number,  both  of  the  clergy  and  laity,  after 
ferious  conference,  came  to  the  refolution  of  infti- 
tuting  a  Miffionary  Society  in  the  city  of  New- 
York,  and  of  endeavouring  to  obtain  the  concur- 
rence of  Chriftians  throughout  the  continent. 
Themfelves  and  their  attempt  they  commit  to 
him  whofe  ftrength  is  made  perfect  in  weaknefs, 
— Their  Addrefs  and  Conflitution  follow. 

Nevv-York,  November  18,  1796. 


- 


